The Disabled Hiker: MY MISSION STATEMENT

My Mission.

SURVIVAL IS NOT ENOUGH.

As you know, simply surviving is not enough.

Living with disabilities seems to go hand-in-hand with lowering your quality-of-life. Disabilities seem to directly impact perception of anxiety, anger, depression, frustration, and all seems to go through the roof as that inward quality-of-life goes down. The disability in itself can make us feel trapped and alone and hopeless. And then to make matters worse, you can find yourself setting limits to just how much you will endure at the hands of your condition, slowly shutting yourself off more and more from the outside world. No matter if it's simply because you're telling yourself the world is too crowded or hard to maneuver through, or any one of a thousand other excuses, the fact is, your quality-of-life is slipping away. Thus begins the downward spiral.

The Disabled Hiker is directed at maintaining that inward quality-of-life through the wilderness experience, drawing strength through contact with our natural home, the earth. Even though you may not be able to enjoy the outdoor activity with the same physical ability you once had, there are a few changes that can be made. And you'd be surprised how good that feels. When your activity and usefulness goes up, so does your quality-of-life.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we can redefine ourselves fortified with the wisdom we accumulate on our journey,
and so this is my mission:

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1. TO INSPIRE AN HEIGHTENED INWARD QUALITY-OF-LIFE

The Earth is an amazing healing entity. You might think that's a strange thought coming from someone who has been unable to find relief from his chronic pain either in the pharmaceutical or natural list of pain remedies available today. However, I assure you is true. Although direct contact with the wilderness may not soothe my pain in the classic sense, it can certainly soothe my mind and rejuvenate that seemingly magic power that allows me to go day-to-day regardless of pain, even for months at a time between doses of nature.

2. CREATING A VIDEO LIBRARY OF MY EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS

Creativeness and innovative thought may well be one of man's first tools when dealing with his environment. The wilderness from which we emerged required it of us. Regardless of our varied differences and thoughts on the origins of man, we all at one point or another faced the wilderness. Alone or in small groups, we were creative then and we are just as creative today. It's exactly this type of primeval survival thought process I love to put into play every time I face an obstacle.

3, REVIEW HIKING AND CAMPING EQUIPMENT.

Equipment that is specifically useful to the disabled hiker can often be difficult to find. However, even more difficult to find is a review of that same equipment by someone who is physically challenged themselves. Often, equipment that can be easy to use for the fully abled hiker can be difficult to use for the disabled. It is the intent of The Disabled Hiker to find and review such gear in a more useful and accessible way to the physically challenged.

4. SUPPORTING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The Americans with Disabilities Act insures every American has free access to public space regardless of their disability. In support of this act The Disabled Hiker will communicate issues relating to access to public lands. It is important to understand that we the disabled would never want to change the natural environment to suit our needs. We would much rather adapt to the trails as they are, sharing the experience, without diminishing the experience for any of us.

5. LINK UP DISABLED HIKERS AND CAMPERS AND OTHER OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS

Hiking alone is never advisable, especially so if you're dealing with physical challenges. However, finding the right hiking partner that is willing to go at your speed is not always easy. It is my hope to soon offer a link up page specifically for hooking up disabled hikers with other interested hikers, both fully abled and disabled.

6. SHARING KNOWLEDGE ON DISABLED FRIENDLY TRAILS

It is very hard to find a trail description that takes the disabled into account on any level. There are some trail areas that could easily be traversed with a walker or cane, while others would easily suit those with prosthetic limbs. More difficult sections of the trail might be best avoided altogether for safety's sake.

7. TO TRADE IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS

Helping the Disabled to Better Access the Wilderness on Their Terms. As a species the wilderness is our true home. Our ability to identify, improvise, adapt, and overcome the problems we encounter is inherently part of who we are. Our disabilities are no different. They exist in our lives as obstacles and sometimes even more so as challenges. However, we are not alone. And together time and time again we have proven to ourselves that we can do anything we put our innovative and adaptable minds to.